Majestic Geared Tripod

Majestic Geared Head also known as Chicago Majestic. This is the Majestic Geared Head Model 1400 and Majestic Legs Model 3000.

This is a geared head, first produced in the mid 1950’s. The design has remained unchanged for over 60 years and made in Chicago. The last head was produced in 2014/2015.

In the 1950’s this was used for large format cameras by professionals such as Richard Avadon in the studio and Ansel Adams in the field. Works just as well today. I use it with a small mirror less Sony A6000 because it has lots of control for head shots or product photography.

The dimensions are as follows:

· The center post hole is 1.5 inches.

· The plate on top is 6 by 4.5 inches (I attach a generic Arca Swiss clamp to the plate for easy attachment of my camera).

· From the base to the top of the plate is 8 inches.

· It weighs 4.5 pounds.

Over the years I have owned three, from a model made in 1960’s to this one from the late 1990’s.

This is overkill for almost any camera sold today, that and the weight mean they are inexpensive used. With legs (also impressive) this head/legs costs around $100. New geared heads are $250 and up in price.

It is perfect for product photography and is still in use today.

The head is rock solid as are the legs that are made for it. I really like this tripod – a very stable platform.

The main feature of the head is the gear. You crank it forward 90 degrees or backward 30 degrees. There is no lock; once you get the plate where you want it the gears keep it in place.

You can use one of the large knobs to adjust the plate left and right about 15 degrees to each side, not a lot, but very easy to level if the legs are relatively even.

You can also raise the center column with a geared crank and there is also a quick center pole that raises. The extension is dampened or air cushioned, meaning it will not crash down if the release knob is accidentally loosened. The quick center pole raises about 19 inches. The geared center column raises about 19 inches as well.

When the extensions on the legs are fully raised the height to the top of the platform is 59 inches, almost 5 feet before raising the center column.

When full raised the tripod is about 8 feet - 5 feet from the legs, and about 3 feet with the quick center pole and geared pole.

This was a long exposure at 22 seconds. The camera was six feet above ground on the Majestic Geared Head and Legs - super stable and easy to work with. Shot at f16. Shot on Fuji Acros 125 120 Film on a Mamiya TLR medium format camera.

There are three spirit levels built into the massive spider (the round plate that connects the legs to the center column). These work remarkable well at adjusting the height of each leg to get the spider and center column level.

The tripod head fits onto the tripod in an unconventional fashion. It actual sits atop a tube versus the normal tripod mount which is a 3/8” 16 screw. The opening a is 1-1/2" tripod post connection.

All of the parts (tubes, knobs cranks) on this tripod were off the shelf items used in the 1950's for non photography purposes. There were not many metal tripods when this was designed and the 3/8" 16 screw used commonly today to attach tripod heads was probably not prevalent. It is built to last. Its all metal except for the rubber feet pads.

The legs are Model 3000 and have a large tube that that the leg braces attach to. It is very easy to open or spread the legs. Simply take one leg, place it on the ground. Grab the other two legs and pull the tripod towards you. This spreads the legs. Revers to close, take one leg place it on the ground, and push on the other two legs.

The footprint of the legs is small and since the tripod is heave this makes for a stout and squat platform. It fits in tight spaces with confidence. There are no issues raising the center columns - the solid base ensures a solid platform even with center column raised.

The tripod is very serviceable, and spare parts can be found at a hardware store should you purchase one missing a screw or bolt. The 1.5 inch knobs were cleaned up and white lithium grease was applied to the threads - this made the sticky knobs smooth and easy to operate.

The original photos can be seen and enlarged here.

The main feature of the head is the gear. You crank it forward 90 degrees or backward 30 degrees. There is no lock; once you get the plate where you want it the gears keep it in place.